MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I am looking to take the 8 year old grandson out wild camping, was going to bike pack but thinking would be an idea to do it hiking first, he needs more time outdoors as he is starting to be on the dreaded video games too much for my liking! He does enjoy being outdoors and think a wild camp will be a good intro to other weekends away.
But need ideas of a route and possible camping spots, am in York so would think the lakes or South Scotland and looking at a route of possible 4-5 miles per day with a night out, so either a loop or out and back. Any ideas appreciated.
Does it need to be wild camping? I know it's the minority, but there are so many problems in rural areas at the moment caused by wild camping post-lockdown that I wouldn't even consider it.
IMO, an 8 year old would love a weekend at a little campsite with a decent playpark & loads of new friends.
The scottish borders is full of spots.
Other option is bothies.
Games hope is great ftyom a swimmable river and waterfalls perspective.
Ordinarily i'd suggest grey mares tail but thats a bit out of hand at the moment.
I'd park up in Reeth and explore Swaledale/Arkengarthdale, not far from you, generally quiet and some lovely trails to explore, wee fella will love it. Thanks to ardrock, it's an area I've much love for.
I’d park up in Reeth and explore Swaledale/Arkengarthdale
Friends went up with the van at the weekend to camp, but said it was like Glastonbury and ended up just going home! I’m kind of with @ceept at the moment, and putting wild camping off until the weather deteriorates a bit in the hope it sends the masses home.
https://nearlywildcamping.org/
Could be a solution to give you a better feel than a commercial campsite but no worries with a young labs
There's some really quiet spots around Northumbria and Borders, even Kirkby Stephen area to avoid the crowds at present.
I suspect that the North York Moors and Dales will be hoaching with folk at the moment.
The beauty of wild camping is that you don't have to have a spot fixed before you go. There are plenty of places in the Dales where you can tuck yourself away discreetly as night falls and be away in the morning before anyone is up. The national park authorities are trying to crack down on nuisance roadside vanlife camping though, particularly in the Lakes, so obviously aim to get a couple of miles away from the nearest road, and out of sight of any houses/farms.
As long as you have the tools to leave no trace whatsoever, if you know what I mean, then there is no issue.
Other option is bothies.
All MBA bothies are closed, as they are unable to manage hygiene, social distancing and track and trace requirements at the moment. It is unclear when they will be able to reopen. Non MBA bothies will be in similar boat.
If the bothy has not been locked it is because either nobody has the keys or the owner has decided it is best left open for genuine emergencies. Most bothies had signs put up by MOs when they could get to them with travel restrictions. Rumours are most of those signs have been ripped down, and people are using some bothies despite the closure.
Thanks everyone. Will have a look at the areas mentioned. Knowing how busy the tourist traps are will definitely avoiding them and the number of people who don’t know how to act properly in the outdoors! Hopefully will find a quiet spot and enjoy!
I wouldn't be put off by the current state - still loads of quiet spots to get lost in.
As long as you're sensible, I don't see the problem.
I took my boys hammocking first, so needed woods (which has the nice side effect of being completely hidden), but I think I'd be trying to find somewhere hidden anyway.
Good luck - some of the best rides ever have been the morning after sleeping out.